The running backs at Hirschi and Springtown command a lot of attention.

Rightfully so. Husky senior Daimarqua Foster garnered statewide attention last season when he rushed for 3,270 yards and scored 50 total touchdowns.

Springtown’s Cameron Rickett had a breakout season in 2017, rushing for 1,736 yards and 26 TDs.

Entering the 2018 season, Foster (1,480 yards, 23 TDs) and Rickett (1,573 yards, 26 TDs) were obviously the headliners for their respective teams. Hirschi (6-2, 2-1) and Springtown (7-1, 3-0) have thrived with their impressive tailbacks leading the way and now meet for the District 4-4A Division II title.

Rickett and the Porcupines host Foster and the Huskies at 7 p.m. Friday at Porcupine Stadium. Springtown can claim an outright district title with a win. Hirschi could position itself to earn at least a share of the 4-4A Division I title, assuming it can beat Mineral Wells in the regular season finale.

For both teams, it would be the first district championship since the late 1990s. Springtown last claimed a district title in 1998. Hirschi won a share of the crown in 1999.

“It’s one of those first goals you set out to achieve,” Hirschi coach Danny Youngs said. “You want to get that district title on your way to the playoffs. It would be a huge accomplishment for our kids.”

Playoff seeding is another important factor on the line in Friday’s matchup. Springtown locks up the No. 1 seed with a win. Hirschi would need to beat Springtown by at least eight points and then beat Mineral Wells to claim the No. 1 seed. Otherwise, the Huskies are likely delegated to the No. 3 seed unless Decatur loses its final two games.

The playoff path for the No. 3 seed is perceived to be significantly more difficult than the first seed’s playoff path this season.

The easy answer to picking a winner Friday night would be taking the team more capable of stopping the other’s running back. But Springtown and Hirschi each boast more weapons than electrifying tailbacks.

Hirschi senior quarterback Nate Downing is averaging more than 100 rushing yards per game and has thrown seven touchdowns compared to two interceptions.

Buy Photo

Nate Downing of the Hirschi Huskies breaks the tackle on his way to a touchdown during the first quarter Friday night in Burkburnett.(Photo: Richard Cleaver/Special to the Times Record News)

Springtown senior quarterback Sawyer Drewry, who is a threat to run, has thrown for 1,327 yards, 19 touchdowns and three interceptions.

“Our quarterback is so solid. I love him,” Springtown coach Brian Hulett said. “Our receivers are making plays. Everybody sees Cameron, and there’s no doubt he’s great, but we’ve got other players stepping up and making plays, too.”

The Huskies and Porcupines are clearly similar teams, but Hulett sees his group lacking in one significant area – experience in big games. He’s hoping Friday’s stage won’t prove too big but also knows Hirschi has played on it before, which is an advantage for the Huskies.

“Those guys have been here before,” Hulett said. “That’s the thing that sets it apart. We haven’t played for a district championship. They did that last year against Argyle. They’ve been in a lot of these games. They played against Stephenville in the playoffs in December. We haven’t had those experiences.

“We have to play the best we can and hope Hirschi has an off night. It’s one of those games where a couple mistakes could decide it. I hope we are ready.”

And Youngs hopes the Huskies’ experience in those big games truly does pay dividends Friday.

“When you play games like this, you’re going to get something different offensively, defensively and on special teams that you haven’t seen all year on film,” Youngs said. “They’ve been holding it for a big moment. … There’s 7-10 plays that make a difference. Those plays, you’ve got to be prepared for them. You have to be ready for every little possible detail and that’s hard.”

Springtown's breakout season has been spearheaded by junior running back Cameron Rickett.(Photo: Joe Duty/Wise County Messenger)

Notes: Springtown’s last district title came in 1998, but the Porcupines fell in the bi-district round of the playoffs, losing 28-26 to Hirschi. The Huskies went on to make a run to the state quarterfinals – a feat that hadn’t been repeated in the program until last season. … The two teams spent the 2002 and 2003 seasons in the same district, splitting the two matchups. More recently, the Huskies and Porcupines played against each other in non-district in 2014 and 2015. Springtown won both matchups handily. … Both teams have also played strong defense this season. Hirschi is giving up 17 points per game compared to 20 points to Springtown. The Porcupines’ only loss this season was against Graham in Week 5, 35-29. Hirschi beat Graham 43-29 in the season opener. Springtown demolished Decatur 75-35 a week after Hirschi lost to the Eagles, 22-21.